In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London

Columbia Road Market 2

September 6, 2009

by the gentle author

Last week, as if somebody had flicked a switch on the day after the bank holiday, the weather changed. Suddenly autumn is in the air, the nights are cooler and I put the quilt on my bed for the first time. The end of summer brings Cyclamen into the market and today I bought six for a fiver. My preference is for tiny white ones close to the wild species (they also come in red and a range of luscious pinks), and I look out for varieties with elegant spidery patterned leaves like these. Always a great bargain, if you deadhead them conscientiously they will flower through until Easter. I planted them to lighten the shade under the Magnolia Stellata just as I did last year, and I hope if I keep doing this they will naturalise in my garden.

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